British Army Centurion Mk 5 AVRE

The Centurion Main Battle Tank first introduced in the early post-war period was developed through thirteen basic variants and became one of the all-time longest-serving tank designs. Work on replacing the wartime Churchill AVRE was completed in 1957 with the Centurion Mk 5 AVRE FV4003 which featured the short barrel 165mm demolition cannon and dozer blade. After trials in 1962 the type entered service in 1963 during the Cold War.

Served with the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) in Germany; deployed to Northern Ireland in 1972; engaged in the first Gulf War 1990-91 to liberate Kuwait (Op Granby). Retired in 1992 after nearly 30 years of operations.

Several Centurion Mk 5 AVREs are preserved in military museums including the Norfolk Tank Museum, Imperial War Museum Duxford, Royal Engineers Museum in Kent, Isle of Wight military museum (WMAHM), and the Cobbaton Collection North Devon. Check online for opening times.

New tooled AVRE parts including dozer blade attachment, fascine cradle, new belt-type Hush Puppy (low noise) tracks, new canvas cover. High Explosive Squash Head (HESH) shell included plus photo-etch parts and metal 165mm L9A1 demolition gun barrel. Choice of 4 markings: 02 BA 58 “Blood Hound”; 09 BA 64; 11 BA 46; 11 BA 66.

1:35 scale plastic model kit from AFV Club, requires paint and glue.